Sisters are doin' it - women singers for a compilation cd

March 16, 2006 4:17 AM

I want to make a compilation CD for my mum for mother's day (next sunday). Theme: Women singers. Genres: country (about which I know very little), MOR pop/rock, and classic singers like Patsy Cline and Dusty Springfield. There is, of course

About 15 years ago my form teacher made me a tape of women singers that my mum loved, but it was in her car when it got stolen a few years later and that was that. Obviously, I cannot re-create that tape exactly, but this is what I remember from it and I would like the excellent mefi community to help me extrapolate from this and tell me what I need to get when I next visit my local internet MP3 emporium:

Dusty Springfield - I just don't know what to do with myself
Something by Michele Shocked
Something by 10,000 Maniacs
Something by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Something by Tammy Wynette
Something by Tanita Tikaram
Something by Emmylou Harris
Something by Patsy Cline

And a load of other stuff I've forgotten.

posted by handee to media & arts (31 comments total)

For Emmylou, I really love her duet with Gram Parsons on "Love Hurts".

I'd also include some Bonnie Raitt. "I Can't Make You Love Me" is phenomenal.

And don't forget some Heart. I'd go with "Crazy on You".
posted by saladin at 4:35 AM on March 16, 2006

Also, some Suzy Bogguss couldn't hurt. Maybe "Letting Go".
posted by saladin at 4:47 AM on March 16, 2006

Loretta Lynn - Honkytonk Girl, Don't Come Home a Drinkin', Coal Miner's Daughter

Carole King
Carly Simon
Pretenders
Linda Ronstadt (pre "golden oldies")
Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer, "Enough is Enough"
Madonna
Annie Lennox/Eurythmics
The Supremes
Aretha Franklin
Tina Turner
Indigo Girls
Dixie Chicks

A few current popsters with decent voices and/or catchy songs: Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, Natasha Bedingfield
posted by SashaPT at 4:49 AM on March 16, 2006

For Patsy Cline I'd look at "Crazy", "I Fall to Pieces" and "Walkin' after midnight."

For Tammy Wynette, "Stand by your Man."

At least, these are what I'd include, and what I think are considered their bit hits.
posted by sarahmelah at 4:52 AM on March 16, 2006

If you want to expand beyond just the singers mentioned, here are some outstanding female artists and their CD's. There nothing like the thrill of discovering a new artist that you love (with a whole treasure trove of new CD's to listen to).

Last of the True Believers by Nanci Griffith

Van Lear Rose by Loretta Lynn

Bittertown by Lori McKenna

1000 Kisses by Patty Griffin

Steady On or Fat City by Shawn Colvin

Plumb by Jonatha Brooke

And you might want to give these gals a listen too.
posted by bim at 5:02 AM on March 16, 2006

Damn you scared me! In what country is Mother's Day next Sunday? I'm guessing UK ...
posted by intermod at 5:26 AM on March 16, 2006

Would second Nancy Griffiths, she would fit in there nicely. You can really take your pick because almost everything she has done has been fantastic. "Lone star state of mind" probably has the most recognisable tracks on it despite not being her best.

Also, "Stones in the road" by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
posted by fire&wings at 5:45 AM on March 16, 2006

Something from Faith Hill (warning:audio) . Her three most recent CDs are chock full of good songs. "If I Fall Behind" (yes, it's a Springsteen cover); "Like we Never Loved Before; "Free"; "Cry". (Not to say that her first couple of CDs don't have good stuff on them, they're just a little bit more mainstream country-pop. She started to get away from that with Breathe, and Cry has almost no country-pop stuff. )

Rosanne Cash.

For Linda Ronstadt, "Tucson Sessions" with Emmylou and the two Trio albums (with Emmylou and Dolly).

Second on Van Lear Rose.

Beth Nielsen Chapman .
Sheryl Crow. (yes, really. Wildflowers or Tuesday Night Music Club)
Anna Nalick

A little farther afield, take a listen to Fisher, HEM, or Over the Rhine.
posted by jlkr at 5:53 AM on March 16, 2006

kd lang's recent "Hymns of the 49th parallel" is not only what you are looking for, it defines what you are looking for. She's one of the few modern voices that stands in the same class as Cline or Springfield.
posted by bonehead at 5:53 AM on March 16, 2006

One more -- anything by the late Eva Cassidy. A voice like that only comes along once in a million years. You absolutely must listen to Eva's rendition of "(Somewhere) Over the Rainbw."

...and I second including kd land in the mix.
posted by bim at 5:56 AM on March 16, 2006

Brilliant idea handee, thank you for asking the question!
posted by ceri richard at 6:09 AM on March 16, 2006

p.s. For those of us who went into panic mode:

Mothers day in the UK is Sunday, 26 March this year.
It's May 14th in the US and Canada
posted by ceri richard at 6:16 AM on March 16, 2006

If you're looking for fresh recommendations...

I would recommend something by a lesser-known contemporary of the Laurel Canyon scene named Judee Sill. She's become popular again in recent years as a rediscovery from the vaults, but if mum is into stuff like Laura Nyro, Carole King, or Joni Mitchell, she might dig Ms. Sill's work. Her most well-known tune is a number called "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" (a hit for several people back then), but both of her albums - Judee Sill and Heart Food - are rich with idiosyncratic treasures. She's a little unusual but still easy on the ears. I often think of sending her stuff to my own mom.

Another latter-day rediscovery is Vashti Bunyan, who is even more genteel than Judee but just as compelling. Her early material (Just Another Diamond Day) has been reissued, but she also has a brand-new album out that's pretty great.

Also: the original version of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" by Sandy Denny, one of Britain's greatest-ever singers.
posted by mykescipark at 6:18 AM on March 16, 2006

You mom might not know her, but would probably love Neko Case.

I like all of bim's suggestions too. And don't forget Dolly Parton!
posted by desuetude at 6:21 AM on March 16, 2006

Darn near anything by Lucinda Williams would be on my short list.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:23 AM on March 16, 2006

Sarah Harmer is a newer artist whose work would fit very nicely with most of your list.
posted by danwalker at 6:26 AM on March 16, 2006

Lucinda Williams is a MUST.
Iris Dement - who despite her bizarre pseudonym, has a great deal of talent.
posted by fox_terrier_guy at 6:39 AM on March 16, 2006

"All I want" by Joni Mitchel

Nancy Sinatra makes any mix fun, not to mention classy. I like her version of "Jackson" with Lee Hazelwood.
posted by dobie at 6:51 AM on March 16, 2006

I second and third kd's "Hymns..."

Another Canadian singer that you might look for is Jann Arden.

I could write volumes about Mary Chapin. Some of her stuff is very bittersweet and fairly depressing though. How old is your mom, and is she particularly reflective? If you would prefer something more upbeat that doesn't necessarily showcase MCC's voice, then I'd go with "Shut Up and Kiss Me", "I Feel Lucky" or "Down At The Twist and Shout" (look for the live version from the Super Bowl off of her "Party Doll" CD - she does a verse in French - way cool).

Wynonna Judd has some good stuff, as do the Judds. I like Wy's "Girls With Guitars" (written by Mary Chapin Carpenter, coincidentally).

Most of Terri Clark's stuff is upbeat honky-tonk. Her "Fearless" CD is more quiet singer-songwriter tunes, and is considered one of her best.

Carlene Carter is fun (and has the pedigree - her mom was June Carter Cash). She hasn't recorded in a long time due to various personal problems, but she was the queen of country radio about 15 years ago.

And speaking of, June Carter's last CD (with the guy from the White Stripes producing) won a Grammy. What I heard from it was awesome.

Marcia Ball is bluesy, funky, swampy, zydeco-ish piano, and has a deep alto that will break your heart. Plus she's funny and sweet.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:02 AM on March 16, 2006

Kelly Willis - anything off What I Deserve or "That's How I Got To Memphis" off this compilation.

"Independance Day" by the great Martina McBride.
posted by nicwolff at 7:03 AM on March 16, 2006

Oh, you should also definitely throw some Portishead on that disc.
posted by saladin at 7:03 AM on March 16, 2006

I need to visit itunes tonight. These are some great suggestions (and I love this question).

And I second the suggestion of songs of the late great Laura Nyro. Her CD "Gonna Take a Miracle" with a young Patti LaBelle singing backup is a desert island disc. You can't help but break out into a giant smile when you hear this CD. Tracks 2,3, and 6 are so good I almost want to scream everytime I hear them. It doesn't get any better than this.

And as for Linda Rondstadt, I haven't listened to her in ages but I still could sing every word to her CD's called "Prisoner in Disguise" and "Hasten Down the Wind." Terrific music. Check it out.
posted by bim at 8:02 AM on March 16, 2006

I can remember my mother liking some of my 10,000 Manics stuff. Not very cool when your a teenage lad...

So I'm going to suggest it was a track off `Blind Man's Zoo`, possibly `Trouble Me`
posted by handybitesize at 8:03 AM on March 16, 2006

I'll second Lucinda Williams .. particularly "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road". 2 Kool 2 Be 4-gotten on that CD feels to me like a "mom" song in particular.

I've been listening to a lot of Martha Berner lately. Acoustic singer/songwriter of the same ilk as say, Patty Griffin or Mary Chapin Carpenter.

If you are trying to remember something from Michelle Shocked, "Anchorage" off of "Short Sharped Shocked" was popular back in the day, as was "Like the Weather" by 10K Maniacs. More good stuff from Michelle Shocked: "Come a Long Way" off Prodigal Daughter, and I like the funky version of "Don't Mess with My Little Sister" off Captain Swing.
posted by duckus at 8:12 AM on March 16, 2006

The Tanita Tikaram song was likely Twist in my Sobriety, from the album Ancient Heart.

Toni Childs: almost any song from the album Union. My favorites are Don't Walk Away, Walk and Talk Like Angels, or Stop Your Fussin'.

Joan Armatrading: a Greatest Hits album yields Whatever's For Us, For Us, Willow, Me Myself I and lots of others. My favorite album of hers is The Shouting Stage. Songs from that: Did I Make You Up, Striaght Talk, Watch Your Step.

Julia Fordham: something from the album Porcelain, like maybe Lock and Key, For You Only For You or Manhattan Skyline.
posted by initapplette at 8:41 AM on March 16, 2006

Don't forget Maria McKee, her first eponomous debut solo album in particular.
posted by prolific at 10:18 AM on March 16, 2006

this is a really good compilation of women in early country music.
posted by modofo at 2:14 PM on March 16, 2006

Great suggestions. If I were making a compilation of music by women I would be sure to include the following:

-Tennessee Waltz, Patti Page (from 1950).
-Lakes of Pontchartrain or The Littlest Birds from the Be Good Tanyas.
-The Tide is High, Blondie (under-appreciated, IMO).
-Heart Like a Wheel, either the Kate & Anna McGarrigle version or the Linda Ronstadt version.
-Extraordinary Machine, from the new Fiona Apple album - is quite amazingly good.
-Summertime as covered by Janis Joplin. Not everyone's cup of tea, but impressive.
-Fuck and Run by Liz Phair. Or May Queen if that's too out there.
-Sweet Dreams, Eurythmics, or even Into the West by Annie Lennox from the LOTR soundtrack.
-Anchorage, When I Grow Up, or Memories of East Texas by Michelle Shocked.
-Redondo Beach by Patti Smith. Not exactly country, but it wouldn't be that out of place. And Patti Smith is at the top of the heap when it comes to female performers.
-Will He Be Waiting for Me, Sarah Harmer. This is from her new I'm a Mountain album and is a cover of a Dolly Parton song.
-Big Yellow Taxi, Joni Mitchell.
posted by mikel at 6:05 AM on March 17, 2006

handee, have you made the compilation yet? Please share the tracklist!
posted by initapplette at 3:44 PM on March 19, 2006

Track listing:

Hey Jack Kerouac - 10,000 Maniacs
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield
Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
Constant Craving - k.d. lang
I've Committed Murder - Macy Gray
High On A Mountain Top - Loretta Lynn
Your Father And I - The Beautiful South
2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten - Lucinda Williams
Firewalker - Rickie Lee Jones
Twist In My Sobriety - Tanita Tikaram
I Fall To Pieces - Patsy Cline
You Don't Love Me - Dawn Penn
Anchorage - Michelle Shocked
I Am A Town - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Under the Weather - KT Tunstall
If Wishes Were Changes - Nanci Griffith
What I Am - Edie Brickell
Me And Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves - Eurythmics

It's a rare case of me making a compilation of songs that I think the recipient will like, rather than a compilation of songs that I would like the recipient to like. I guess I'll find out if I'm right tomorrow!
posted by handee at 7:13 AM on March 25, 2006

I guess the best answer thing is a bit random here - they're all good suggestions and I was a bit constrained by the length of the CD. Anyway thanks to all who answered.
posted by handee at 7:16 AM on March 25, 2006